work for
يعمل لصالح
Use `work for` to name the company or person that employs you and pays your salary.
En 15 secondes
- Used to identify your employer or boss clearly.
- Followed by a company name or a person's name.
- The standard way to answer 'Where do you work?'
Signification
This phrase describes who gives you your paycheck or who you report to at a job. It is the most common way to tell someone which company or person employs you.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Meeting a new neighbor
I work for a small local bakery downtown.
I work for a small local bakery downtown.
A formal job interview
I worked for my previous employer for over ten years.
I worked for my previous employer for over ten years.
Texting a friend about a bad day
I can't believe I still work for this guy!
I can't believe I still work for this guy!
Contexte culturel
In Western culture, the company you work for is often seen as a status symbol or a reflection of your values. The shift from 'working for' large corporations to 'working for' oneself (freelancing) has become a major cultural trend known as the 'Gig Economy'. Interestingly, in some tech circles, saying you 'work for' a specific person is a way to show you are part of an elite team.
Company vs. Person
You can use 'work for' with a company name (Apple) or a person's name (Steve). Both are perfectly natural!
Don't confuse with 'Work With'
If you say you 'work with' someone, they are your teammate. If you 'work for' them, they are your boss. Don't mix them up at a party!
En 15 secondes
- Used to identify your employer or boss clearly.
- Followed by a company name or a person's name.
- The standard way to answer 'Where do you work?'
What It Means
Work for is your bread and butter for talking about employment. It simply identifies your employer. It connects you (the worker) to the entity that pays you. You can use it for big corporations or specific people. It is the verbal equivalent of showing someone your business card.
How To Use It
You put your name or I first. Then add work for. Finally, name the company or boss. For example, I work for Google. It is very flexible with time. You can say I worked for them or I am working for them. Just remember that for is the bridge to the employer. Don't forget the bridge, or the sentence falls apart!
When To Use It
Use this during small talk at parties. Use it in job interviews when discussing your history. It is perfect for LinkedIn bios or networking events. If someone asks, "What do you do?", this is your go-to answer. It works when talking to a neighbor or a CEO. It is the safest, most natural choice in English.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for your physical location. For that, use work at. If you are in the office building, you work at the office. If you are describing your industry, use work in. You work in fashion, but you work for Vogue. Also, if you own the company, don't use this. You don't work for yourself; you are self-employed or run the business. Saying you work for yourself sounds a bit like you are your own mean boss!
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, your job is often a big part of your identity. People ask "Who do you work for?" almost immediately after meeting. It is a way to find common ground. In the past, people worked for one company for forty years. Now, people change who they work for every few years. It is a very dynamic part of modern life.
Common Variations
You might hear work under if someone has a very strict boss. Or freelance for if you have many clients. But work for remains the king of workplace English. It is simple, direct, and understood by everyone from London to New York. It is the ultimate social icebreaker.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is extremely versatile and fits almost any situation. The only 'gotcha' is ensuring you use 'for' when naming the entity that pays you, rather than 'at' (location) or 'in' (industry).
Company vs. Person
You can use 'work for' with a company name (Apple) or a person's name (Steve). Both are perfectly natural!
Don't confuse with 'Work With'
If you say you 'work with' someone, they are your teammate. If you 'work for' them, they are your boss. Don't mix them up at a party!
The 'Self-Employed' Secret
In the US and UK, if you are your own boss, it's more common to say 'I work for myself' than 'I am the manager of my life'.
Exemples
6I work for a small local bakery downtown.
I work for a small local bakery downtown.
A very common way to introduce your job in a casual setting.
I worked for my previous employer for over ten years.
I worked for my previous employer for over ten years.
Shows stability and history in a professional context.
I can't believe I still work for this guy!
I can't believe I still work for this guy!
Using 'this guy' instead of a name shows frustration with a boss.
I think I actually work for my cat now; he's the boss.
I think I actually work for my cat now; he's the boss.
A joke implying the pet runs the house.
I've always wanted to work for a charity that helps children.
I've always wanted to work for a charity that helps children.
Expressing a dream or a passion project.
Do you work for the government or a private firm?
Do you work for the government or a private firm?
Asking for specific details about someone's employer.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct preposition to describe your employer.
She has always wanted to work ___ NASA.
We use 'for' because NASA is the organization/employer.
Identify the best way to mention a person as a boss.
I ___ Mr. Henderson in the accounting department.
If Mr. Henderson is the boss, 'work for' is the correct way to show the reporting relationship.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Work For'
Talking to friends at a bar.
I work for a startup.
Standard daily use.
I work for Microsoft.
Legal or official documents.
The individual works for the corporation.
Where to use 'Work For'
Job Interview
I worked for a bank.
Party Chat
I work for my dad.
Social Media
Proud to work for X.
Complaining
I hate working for him.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, you can! It means the hospital is your employer. If you want to talk about the building, you'd say I work at the hospital.
Absolutely. It is standard English for resumes, though sometimes people use more formal words like employed by.
Work for focuses on the company/person paying you. Work at focuses on the physical location or the general workplace.
Yes, it works for any duration. You can say I'm working for them just for the summer.
The most natural way is to say I work for myself. It sounds independent and professional.
No, it is neutral. Even a high-level executive can say I work for a global investment firm.
Usually, no. For volunteers, it's better to say I volunteer at or I volunteer with, because work for implies a salary.
Yes, this is a common idiom. It means your only motivation for the job is the paycheck.
You would say I work for [Company] in the [Department]. For example, I work for Sony in the marketing department.
It depends on the subject. I work for, but He works for. Don't forget the 's' for third-person singular!
Expressions liées
employed by
A more formal way to say you work for someone.
report to
To have a specific person as your direct manager.
on the payroll of
An idiom meaning to be officially employed by a company.
work under
To work with a specific person as your supervisor.
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